I guess it hasn't been said much that I don't share my opinion about something, especially about stuff that I feel strongly about. So, being true to form I sent the following email to RatAmerica@TriumphMotorcycles.com about the latest issue of Torque magazine. As much as I hope it does get read and taken seriously, I don't expect a reply at all. I just hope that I am not the only one with similar opinions and hope that others have/or will voice their opinions to RAT.

Quote:


I received the latest issue of Torque last week. I have to say it is the worst issue of Torque ever and almost the most worthless magazine I have ever received. The two most important sections of Torque are missing; the RAT Pack section and the owner's bikes/stories section. The only article that was worth reading was the article about the Triumph employee. Otherwise it was just a sales brochure for something I already own.



RAT is suppose to be about the owners of (the best motorcycles ever built) Triumphs. The Torque magazine should be the catalyst of that, bringing riders closer together, bringing the family/community closer together.



I understand that one of the purposes of the magazine is to build a greater enthusiasm for Triumphs. Pointing out that celebrities ride Triumphs is not the way to do it. It may be the way to go to advertise and promote Triumph to those that do not already own Triumphs. Torque needs to get back to being the magazine for the Riders Association of Triumph, not becoming a sales brochure for Triumph motorcycles. It is a waste of resources to try and sell to us (and an almost insulting turn off). We already own and love our bikes; otherwise we would not have signed up/registered for membership in RAT or even bought Triumphs to begin with.



I know that membership for RAT is free. I also understand that it costs money to produce and mail Torque and membership fees (since they are now non-existent) do not go towards producing and mailing Torque. So, I am assuming that the down sized magazine reflects that. However, it seems that the content emitted in order to downsize the magazine is completely opposite of what should have been cut.



Yes, it is nice that Jay Leno owns a Rocket III, however it is widely known that he also owns just about every other bike ever made. He is a celebrity, not a regular person. Regular people that already own Triumphs are very interested in what other regular people's enthusiasm, bikes, modifications and stories rather than TV or movie celebrities. There was the section about custom Rocket IIIs. I am sorry, but changing the paint on anything does not constitute anything as being custom. If you want to see custom, see what some people are doing with their Speedmasters and Americas (choppers, bobbers, etc).



In order to genuinely create a greater enthusiasm and appreciation for Triumph motorcycles, RAT, involvement in RAT and greater sense of community, here is the direction I believe that Triumph needs to take with the Torque magazine and still accomplish low magazine production costs. The primary focus must be the owners, the members, the riders and the enthusiasts (all four are the same):
• Bring back the section of member submitted motorcycles and their stories of why they bought it and/or what they have done with it. Expand the section to keep the selection of models broad and diverse so that all types of owners (sport bike rider, café racer, classic owner, cruiser rider, touring rider and rocket owners) can connect and identify with the other owners/riders that are featured. There are some segments of Triumph owners that feel that their models are ignored.
• Have a section for RAT Reports that include photos from the events, activities that happened, how many people attended, what RAT Packs attended and who won what contests/drawings.
• A section on accomplished riders is essential. This is a section for people and their bikes that maybe rode around the world, across the United States or Europe on their Triumph either by themselves or in a group of other Triumphs.
• Bring back the RAT Pack section. Believe it or not, some people in Oregon find it very interesting the photos, activities and etc of packs in say Connecticut.
• Keep the Triumph employee page. This keeps the sense of connection with the Triumph factory and that the people that work there are regular people like the rest of us.
• If costs are an issue, then open it to advertising for companies that have aftermarket accessories or services for Triumphs like Corbin, NewSpeedmaster.com, BellaCorse and others.



The bottom line is to keep Torque about the members of RAT, in a sense, a magazine about the members (and their bikes) for the members (and their bikes). In doing so, Torque will be the catalyst among all the members of RAT it will generate a greater sense of community and enthusiasm for Triumph generating greater involvement in RAT activities. As people feel more of a part of the Triumph owners' family and an important part of the Triumph community, they will do what the ultimate goal of any corporation is. Current RAT members will spread the word to other Triumph owners to get involved. They will also be more willing to spread the word and their enthusiasm about Triumph motorcycles to not yet owners by telling them about this marvelous world wide community through word of mouth and by lending their copies of Torque to others so that others will be able to see for themselves creating an interest in and sales of more Triumphs, thus creating an ever increasing cycle that benefits all.



Thank you for your time.
Soren Winslow
Beaverton, Oregon



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